The Benefits of Open-ended Wooden Toys

Researchers have studied play, and the way children interact with toys and how this stimulates development. Numerous studies have shown what others have said in practice, that open-ended types of wooden toys may be the most beneficial type of toy to stimulate a growing child’s mind.

Children’s electronic toys are thought to inhibit creativity, developing attention spans and also limit or inhibit a child’s ability to think imaginatively. The problems here partially lies in design, because these toys have a very focused goal or specific purpose to their repertoire. We see this in how children are generally excited about these toys when they arrive, but tend to lose interest in them when the activities they facilitate never change.

However, open-ended wooden toys are great for kids because they:

Promote Imaginative Play

Open-ended wooden toys result in open-ended play. Which will eventually evolve over time while encouraging the child to come up with different creation as they explore the world around them. Wooden toys usually don’t come with bells and whistles of a modern synthetic toy, so it allows a child to think up their uses, games and outcomes.

This allows the child freedom of imagination. The only limit to the number of ways a child can play with a wooden toy is how well the child can use their imagination. There are no wrong answers when playing with these open-ended toys, no specific plans, and no definite conclusion to the play. The more a child plays with the toy, the better he becomes. The natural texture of a well-crafted, strong wooden object excites the senses and encourages children to touch, feel and explore.

Cost Effective

One significant advantage of open-ended wooden toys is that they are cost-effective in the long run. Open-ended toys, such as a set of blocks, or a toy truck will grow with your child over the years as they grow, learn and explore. When children dictate play, it can continuously be reinvented and play can become more creative and complex. In turn, learning also becomes more creative and complex, offering more playful opportunities. For instance, building and knocking down a small tower at age 2 can teach a child shapes. While building and knocking down a large block tower at age 4 can teach a child maths, patience, skills and coordination.

Durability

Toys made from wood are usually very durable. They don’t break easily. Because of their strength, they can always stand the building and knocking down of children, and this allows them to being used to form whatever imaginations comes to the child’s mind.

Environment-friendly

One disadvantage about about-powered toys is that they cause harm to the environment and not cost effective in the long run. Wood is a natural made material which can be subjected to recycling. This means apart from providing entertainment for your child; you are pro-actively helping in preventing further degradation of the environment. By buying open-ended wooden toys for your children at a very tender age, you encourage their sensory development using natural components.